Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CONTAINER WITH FOLDED SIDEWALL
FIELD
[0001] The present
disclosure relates to a container with a folded
sidewall.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section
provides background information related to the
present disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art.
[0003] As a result of environmental and other concerns, plastic
containers, more specifically polyester and even more specifically
polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) containers, are now being used more than ever to package
numerous commodities previously supplied in glass containers. Manufacturers
and fillers, as well as consumers, have recognized that PET containers are
lightweight, inexpensive, recyclable and manufacturable in large quantities.
[0004] Blow-molded
plastic containers have become commonplace in
packaging numerous commodities. PET is a crystallizable polymer, meaning
that it is available in an amorphous form or a semi-crystalline form. The
ability of
a PET container to maintain its material integrity relates to the percentage
of the
PET container in crystalline form, also known as the "crystallinity" of the
PET
container. The following equation defines the percentage of crystallinity as a
volume fraction:
% Crystallinity = ( P ¨ Pa )X100
Pc ¨ Pa
where p is the density of the PET material; pa is the density of pure
amorphous
PET material (1.333 g/cc); and pc is the density of pure crystalline material
(1.455 g/cc).
[0005] Container manufacturers use mechanical processing and
thermal processing to increase the PET polymer crystallinity of a container.
Mechanical processing involves orienting the amorphous material to achieve
strain hardening. This processing commonly involves stretching an injection
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molded PET preform along a longitudinal axis and expanding the PET preform
along a transverse or radial axis to form a PET container. The combination
promotes what manufacturers define as biaxial orientation of the molecular
structure in the container. Manufacturers of PET containers currently use
mechanical processing to produce PET containers having approximately 20%
crystallinity in the container's sidewall.
[0006] Thermal processing involves heating the material (either
amorphous or semi-crystalline) to promote crystal growth. On amorphous
material, thermal processing of PET material results in a spherulitic
morphology
that interferes with the transmission of light. In other words, the
resulting
crystalline material is opaque, and thus, generally undesirable. Used after
mechanical processing, however, thermal processing results in higher
crystallinity and excellent clarity for those portions of the container having
biaxial
molecular orientation. The thermal processing of an oriented PET container,
which is known as heat setting, typically includes blow molding a PET preform
against a mold heated to a temperature of approximately 250 F - 350 F
(approximately 121 C - 177 C), and holding the blown container against the
heated mold for approximately two (2) to five (5) seconds. Manufacturers of
PET
juice bottles, which must be hot-filled at approximately 185 F (85 C),
currently
use heat setting to produce PET bottles having an overall crystallinity in the
range of approximately 25%-35%.
[0007] While current
containers are suitable for their intended use,
they are subject to improvement. For example, a container having reduced
weight and increased strength would be desirable.
SUMMARY
[0008] This section
provides a general summary of the disclosure, and
is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
[0009] The present
teachings provide for a blow-molded container
having a base portion that effectively absorbs internal vacuum while
maintaining
basic shape, and resists deforming under top load. The finish defines an
opening at a first end of the container that provides access to an internal
volume
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defined by the container. The base portion is at a second end of the container
opposite to the first end. The base portion includes a fold proximate to a
sidewall of the container.
[0010] The present
teachings further provide for a blow-molded
container including a finish and a base portion. The finish defines an opening
at
a first end of the container that provides access to an internal volume
defined by
the container. The base portion is at a second end of the container opposite
to
the first end. The base portion includes a fold having an outer fold portion
at a
sidewall of the container, and an inner fold portion that is inward of the
outer fold
portion. The inner fold portion is closer to the first end than the outer fold
portion
is.
[0011] The present teachings provide for another blow-molded
container including a finish and a base portion. The finish defines an opening
at
a first end of the container that provides access to an internal volume
defined by
the container. The base portion is at a second end of the container opposite
to
the first end. The base portion includes a fold, a diaphragm, and a connecting
portion. The fold has an inner folded portion including a first curve and an
outer
folded portion at a sidewall of the container including a second curve. The
inner
folded portion is closer to the first end of the container than the outer
folded
portion. The outer folded portion may provide a post-fill standing surface of
the
container. The diaphragm extends between the fold and an axial center of the
container. The diaphragm may provide a pre-filled standing surface of the
container. The connecting portion is between the inner folded portion and the
diaphragm, and includes a third curve.
[0012] Further areas of
applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this
summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to
limit the scope of the present disclosure.
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DRAWINGS
[0013] The drawings
described herein are for illustrative purposes only
of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0014] Figure 1A is a
side view of a container according to the present
teachings in an as-blown, pre-filled configuration;
[0015] Figure 1B is a
side view of the container of Figure 1A after the
container has been hot-filled and has cooled;
[0016] Figure 1C is a
side view of the filled container of Figure 1B
subject to a top load pressure;
[0017] Figure 1D is a
side view of the container of Figure 1C subject to
further top load pressure;
[0018] Figure 2A is a
perspective view of a base portion of the
container of Figure 1;
[0019] Figure 2B is a
planar view of a base portion of another
container according to the present teachings;
[0020] Figure 2C is a
planar view of a base portion of yet another
container according to the present teachings;
[0021] Figure 3 is a
cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure
2A;
[0022] Figure 4A is a
schematic view of an area of the base portion of
the container of Figure 1 in a pre-fill configuration, the base portion
including a
fold;
[0023] Figure 4B is a
schematic view of the area of the base portion of
the container of Figure 1 in a post-fill configuration;
[0024] Figure 5A is a
schematic view of another container base portion
according to the present teachings illustrating the base portion in a pre-fill
configuration;
[0025] Figure 5B is a
schematic view of an additional container base
portion according to the present teachings illustrating the base portion in a
pre-fill
configuration;
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[0026] Figure 5C is a schematic view of still another container base
portion according to the present teachings illustrating the base portion in a
pre-fill
configuration;
[0027] Figure 6 is a chart illustrating exemplary characteristics of
containers according to the present teachings;
[0028] Figure 7 is a graph illustrating volume change versus pressure
of an exemplary container according to the present teachings;
[0029] Figure 8 is a graph of filled, capped, and cooled top load versus
displacement of an exemplary container according to the present teachings; and
[0030] Figure 9 illustrates a heel denting/side load force test.
[0031] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0033] With initial reference to Figure 1A, a container according to the
present teachings is generally illustrated at reference numeral 10. Figure 1A
illustrates the container 10 in an as-blown, pre-filled configuration. Figure
1B
illustrates the container 10 after being hot-filled and subsequently cooled,
with
the as-blown position shown at AB. Figure 1C illustrates the container 10
subject to top load pressure, with the as-blown position shown at AB. Figure
1D
illustrates the container 10 subject to additional top load pressure, with the
as-
blown position shown at AB. Figures 1B-1D are described further herein.
[0034] As illustrated in Figure 1A, the container 10 can be any suitable
container for storing any suitable plurality of commodities, such as liquid
beverages, food, or other hot-fill type materials. The container 10 can have
any
suitable shape or size, such as 20 ounces as illustrated. Any suitable
material
can be used to manufacture the container 10, such as a suitable blow-molded
thermoplastic, including PET, LDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, and the like.
[0035] The container 10 generally includes a finish 12 defining an
opening 14 at a first or upper end 16 of the container 10. The finish 12
includes
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threads 18 at an outer surface thereof, which are configured to cooperate with
a
suitable closure for closing the opening 14. In addition to, or in place of,
the
threads 18, any suitable feature for cooperating with a closure to close the
opening 14 can be included. The threads 18 are between the opening 14 and a
support ring 20 of the finish 12.
[0036] Extending from the
support ring 20 on a side thereof opposite to
the threads 18 is a neck portion 22. The neck portion 22 extends from the
support ring 20 to a shoulder portion 24 of the container 10. The shoulder
portion 24 tapers outward from the neck portion 22 in the direction of a main
body portion 30. Between the shoulder portion 24 and the main body portion 30
is an inwardly tapered portion 26. The inwardly tapered portion 26 provides
the
container 10 with a reduced diameter portion, which can be the smallest
diameter portion of the container 10 to increase the strength of the container
10.
[0037] The main body 30 extends to a second or lower end 40 of the
container 10. The second or lower end 40 is at an end of the container 10
opposite to the first or upper end 16. A longitudinal axis A of the container
10
extends through an axial center of the container 10 between the first or upper
end 16 and the second or lower end 40.
[0038] The main body
portion 30 includes a sidewall 32, which extends
to a base portion 50 of the container 10. The sidewall 32 defines an internal
volume 34 of the container 10 at an interior surface thereof. The sidewall 32
may be tapered inward towards the longitudinal axis A at one or more areas of
the sidewall 32 in order to define recesses or ribs 36 at an exterior surface
of the
sidewall 32. As illustrated, the sidewall 32 defines five recesses or ribs 36a-
36e.
However, any suitable number of recesses or ribs 36 can be defined, or there
may be no ribs at all, providing a smooth container side wall. The ribs 36 can
have any suitable external diameter, which may vary amongst the different ribs
36. For example and as illustrated, the first recess or rib 36a and the fourth
recess or rib 36d can each have a diameter that is less than, and a height
that is
greater than, the second, third, and fifth recesses or ribs 36b, 36c, and 36e.
In
response to an internal vacuum, the ribs 36 can articulate about the sidewall
32
to arrive at a vacuum absorbed position, as illustrated in Figure 1B for
example.
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Thus, the ribs 36 can be vacuum ribs. The ribs 36 can also provide the
container 10 with reinforcement features, thereby providing the container 10
with
improved structural integrity and stability. The larger ribs 36a and 36d will
have
a greater vacuum response. Smaller ribs 36b, 36c, and 36e will provide the
container with improved structural integrity.
[0039] The base portion
50 generally includes a central push-up
portion 52 at an axial center thereof, through which the longitudinal axis A
extends. The central push-up portion 52 can be sized to stack with closures of
a
neighboring container 10, and also be sized to modify and optimize movement of
the base portion 50 under vacuum.
[0040] Surrounding the
central push-up portion 52 is a diaphragm 54.
The diaphragm 54 can include any number of strengthening features defined
therein. For example and as illustrated in Figure 2A, a plurality of first
outer ribs
56a and a plurality of second outer ribs 56b can be defined in the diaphragm
54.
The first and second outer ribs 56a and 56b extend radially with respect to
the
longitudinal axis A. The first outer ribs 56a extend entirely across the
diaphragm
54. The second outer ribs 56b extend across less than an entirety of the
diaphragm 54, such as across an outermost portion of the diameter 54. The
first
and the second outer ribs 56a and 56b can have any other suitable shape or
configuration. For example and as illustrated in Figure 2B, the second outer
ribs
56b can be replaced with additional first outer ribs 56a, which extend across
the
diaphragm 54. With reference to Figure 2C, the first and second outer ribs 56a
and 56b can be replaced with strengthening pads 92, which are spaced apart
radially about the diaphragm 54. Any other suitable strengthening features can
be included in the diaphragm 54, such as dimples, triangles, etc.
[0041] The base portion
50 further includes a fold 60 at an outer
diameter thereof. With continued reference to Figures 1A and 2A-2C, and
additional reference to Figures 3, 4a (pre-fill, as-blown configuration), and
4b
(post-fill configuration), the fold 60 generally includes a first or inner
folded
portion 62 and a second or outer folded portion 64. The inner folded portion
62
includes a first or inner curved portion 66. The outer folded portion 64
includes a
second or outer curved portion 68. The inner curved portion 66 has a curve
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radius R1 and the outer curved portion 68 has a curve radius R2. The second or
outer curved portion 68 extends to the sidewall 32. The outer folded portion
64,
and specifically the outer curved portion 68 thereof, provide a heel of the
base
portion 50 and the container 10 as a whole.
[0042] Between the inner
curved portion 66 and the outer curved
portion 68 is an intermediate portion 70 of the fold 60. The intermediate
portion
70 is generally linear, and generally extends parallel to the longitudinal
axis A at
least in the pre-fill configuration of the base portion 50 illustrated in
Figure 4A.
The intermediate portion 70 also extends generally parallel to the sidewall
32.
[0043] A connecting
portion 80 generally connects the inner folded
portion 62 to the diaphragm 54. The connecting portion 80 includes a generally
vertical portion 82 and a third curved portion 84. The generally vertical
portion
82 extends from the inner folded portion 62 and specifically the inner curved
portion 66 thereof. The generally vertical portion 82 extends generally
parallel to
the intermediate portion 70, the sidewall 32, and the longitudinal axis A of
the
container 10. In the pre-fill configuration of Figure 4A, the vertical portion
82 is
spaced apart from the intermediate portion 70. In the example of Figures 4A
and
4B, the third curved portion 84 connects the vertical portion 82 to the
diaphragm
54. The third curved portion 84 includes a curve radius R3. The fold 60 is
arranged inward from the sidewall 32 at any suitable distance from the
sidewall
32, such as 1-3 millimeters from the sidewall. Specifically, and with
reference to
Figures 4A and 4B, for example, distance F between the vertical portion 82 of
the connecting portion 80 and the sidewall 32 can be 1-3 millimeters.
[0044] In the pre-fill
configuration of Figure 4A, the diaphragm 54
provides a standing surface of the base portion 50 and the overall container
10.
Thus the diaphragm 54 is at the second or lower end 40 of the container 10 and
the outer folded portion 64 is arranged upward and spaced apart from the
second or lower end 40. With additional reference to Figure 4B, after the
container 10 is filled, such as by way of a hot-fill process, vacuum forces
within
the container 10 cause the diaphragm 54 to retract and move towards the first
or
upper end 16 until the diaphragm 54 is generally coplanar with the outer
folded
portion 64 at R3, or closer to the upper end 16 than the outer folded portion
64.
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Thus in the post-fill configuration of Figure 4B, the standing surface of the
base
50 includes both the diaphragm 54 and the outer folded portion 64, or only the
outer folded portion 64. .
[0045] In the pre-fill
configuration of Figure 4A, the container 10 is
supported on the standing surface by the diaphragm 54 of the base portion 50.
After hot-filling and capping, the base portion 50 responds to the increase in
internal vacuum and reduction of internal volume due to the cooling of the
filled
contents. As illustrated in Figure 4B for example, the diaphragm 54 pivots
around three hinge radius points R1, R2, and R3, and angles upwards into the
container towards the first or upper end 16 from about zero degrees (0 ) to
about
fifteen degrees (15 ) at full activation, with a range of about ten degrees
(10 ) to
twenty degrees (20 ).
[0046] Hinge radius R1
and hinge radius R2 are about the same
dimension, while the hinge radius R3 is greater than R1 and R2. The primary
hinge radius is R1, which changes in dimension to accommodate the movement
of the diaphragm 54 described above and illustrated in Figure 4B. Radius R2
and radius R3 provide additional secondary dimensional change to adjust to the
final shape of the base portion 50 under vacuum. Upon full activation, radius
R3
moves to about the same plane as radius R2, and radius R2 becomes the
primary standing surface, as illustrated in Figure 4B for example. When a top
load force is applied, the angle of the diaphragm 54 is urged back to 0 , and
radii
R1, R2, and R3 adjust to compensate for the movement of the diaphragm 54.
Under top load, the diaphragm 54 and radius R3 are about level with, or
parallel
to, the radius R2. The diaphragm 54, the radius R2, and the radius R3 are all
generally level with, or parallel to, the standing surface and are constrained
by
the standing surface.
[0047] The combination of
vacuum base portion 50 and the horizontal
ribs 36 allows the container 10 to reach a state of hydraulic charge up when a
top load force is applied after the container 10 is filled, as illustrated in
Figures
1C and 1D for example, which allows the container 10 to maintain its basic
shape. This movement of the base portion 50 caused by top load force is
constrained by the standing surface, and the horizontal ribs 36 begin to
collapse,
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thereby causing filled internal fluid to approach an incompressible state. At
this
point the internal fluid resists further compression and the container 10
behaves
similar to a hydraulic cylinder, while maintaining the basic shape of the
container
10.
[0048] More specifically,
in the as-blown, prefilled configuration AB of
Figure 1A, the container 10 stands upright while resting on the diaphragm 54,
and volume and pressure are zero or generally zero, thereby providing the
container 10 in phase 1. Figure 7 is a graph of volume change versus pressure,
and Figure 8 is a graph of filled, capped, and cooled top load versus
displacement of an exemplary container 10 according to the present teachings.
The various phases described herein are illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.
[0049] With reference to
Figure 1B, after the container is hot-filled and
cooled, the base portion 50 is pulled up towards the upper end 16 due to
internal
vacuum. Overall height of the container 10 is reduced (compare the container
10 in the as-blown position AB), and the container 10 is supported upright at
its
outer folded portion 64, which is at radius R2, to provide the container 10 at
phase 2. With reference to Figure 1C, application of top load urges the base
portion 50 to the original as-blown position of Figure 1A, and the internal
vacuum
crosses over to positive internal pressure, thereby providing phase 3. Figure
1D
illustrates phase 4 and an increase in top load, which returns the base
portion 50
substantially to the original as-blown position of Figure 1A and phase 1. The
base portion 50 is constrained by the standing surface, the ribs 36 collapse
causing further reduction in internal volume of the container 10, and a
hydraulic
spike in internal pressure advantageously facilitates very high top load
capability.
[0050] With additional reference to Figures 5A-5C, additional
exemplary configurations of the base portion 50 are illustrated. With initial
reference to Figure 5A, the base portion 50 is illustrated in the as blown,
pre-fill
configuration with the diaphragm 54 generally coplanar with the outer folded
portion 64 such that both the diaphragm 54 and the outer folded portion 64
provide the container 10 with a pre-fill standing surface. After the container
10 is
filled, such as by hot filling, the diaphragm 54 retracts towards the first or
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end 16 such that the outer folded portion 64 solely provides the post-fill
standing
surface of the container 10.
[0051] Figure 5B
illustrates the base 50 in the pre-fill configuration, and
is similar to the configuration of Figure 5A, but the connecting portion 80
further
includes an inset portion 90. The inset portion 90 is between the third curved
portion 84 of the connecting portion 80 and the diaphragm 54. Figure 5C
illustrates the base portion 50 again in the pre-fill configuration. The pre-
fill
configuration illustrated in 5C is similar to that illustrated in Figure 5A,
but the
outer folded portion 64 is closer to the first or upper end 16 of the
container 10
as compared to the configuration of Figure 5A. For example, the outer folded
portion 64 of Figure 5C is closer to the fifth recess or rib 36e as compared
to the
outer folded portion 64 illustrated in Figure 5A. To compensate for the outer
folded portion 64 of Figure 5C being closer to the first or upper end 16, the
vertical portion 82 of the connecting portion 80 has an increased length.
[0052] Figure 6
illustrates advantages of the container 10 according to
the present teachings as compared to existing containers. For example, a heel
portion of existing containers (generally located at an outer rim or wall of a
base
thereof) can often become deformed upon being subject to approximately 15.38
pounds of side load force at a compressive extension of about 0.250". In
contrast, an exemplary container according to the present teachings was found
to not experience deformation at the fold 60 (which generally replaces a heal
of a
conventional container) until being subject to about 21.97 pounds of side load
force at a compressive extension of 0.250". Figure 9 shows an example of the
side load force test.
[0053] The fold 60 can be
formed in any suitable manner. For
example, the fold 60 can be formed by an overstroke of 1-10 millimeters, which
is advantageously smaller than overstroke procedures for forming existing
containers. Reducing the overstroke provides for increased cycle time and a
more repeatable manufacturing process. For example, the fold 60 can be
formed without individual cavity operator adjustment, which increases
consistency of the blow molding process. Most container designs that employ
overstroke have a container standing surface that resides below the active
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portion of the assigned vacuum absorbing base technology, which is in contrast
to the container 10 in which the standing surface is within the vacuum
absorbing
zone.
[0054] The fold 60 also
advantageously provides the base portion
50 with an increased vacuum displacement area, such as in the range of 90-95
percent of the entire base portion 50. Because the pre-fill standing surface
of
the base portion 50 is within the vacuum absorbing zone, any vacuum related
shape change improves filled capped topload result by way of a charge-up
scenario known to those skilled in the art of hot-fill package design in which
fluid
within the container 10 reaches an incompressible hydraulic state. This
provides
for self-correction of any minor sidewall imperfections experienced during
fill
line/warehouse handling.
[0055] The fold 60 is
advantageously stronger than the sidewall 32.
For example, the fold 60 is about 2-6 times stronger than the sidewall 32. The
fold 60 can be included with sidewalls 32 of various thicknesses, such as 0.1-
0.5
millimeters. The strength of the fold 60 is independent of the thickness of
the
sidewall 32. Thus the thickness of the sidewall 32 can be reduced in order to
reduce the overall weight of the container 10 without sacrificing strength in
the
base portion 50. For example, the sidewall 32 can have a thickness of less
than
0.4 millimeters, which advantageously reduces the overall weight of the
container 10.
[0056] The fold 60 is located in a non-critical handling zone.
Therefore, minor imperfections, such as flash, incomplete forming, or denting,
will not negatively affect the height or handling of the container 10, which
can
reduce scrap in the manufacturing process.
[0057] The foregoing
description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to
be
exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a
particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment,
but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected
embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be
varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from
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the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within
the
scope of the disclosure.
[0058] Example
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in
the
art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific
components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in
the
art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may
be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to
limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known
processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not
described in detail.
[0059] The terminology
used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As
used
herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended to include the
plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The
terms
"comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore
specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,
elements,
and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more
other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups
thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not
to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular
order
discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of
performance.
It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be
employed.
[0060] When an element or
layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged
to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be
directly
on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or
intervening
elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to
as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or
"directly
coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or
layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements
should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly
between,"
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"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term
"and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed
items.
[0061] Although the terms
first, second, third, etc. may be used herein
to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,
these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be
limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one
element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or
section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used
herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the
context.
Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below
could
be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without
departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
[0062] Spatially relative
terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath,"
"below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease
of
description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another
element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative
terms may
be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or
operation
in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the
device in
the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other
elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or
features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of
above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or
at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein
interpreted accordingly.
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